Underwood's Buildings

A row of connected two-storey houses on George Street approximately opposite Essex Street that were used for commercial and residential purposes. Constructed in the 1820s by entrepreneur and shipbuilder James Underwood.

Footer Secondary

Residential block

Office block

Builder

Underwood, James

Bank of Australia

Bank established in 1826 which failed in 1843 as the pastoral boom ended in an economic depression in the early 1840s. In 1828 it was the scene of Australia's first bank robbery, and following its collapse its directors organised Australia's first lottery to dispose of its assets.

Robbing the Bank: Australia’s First Bank Robbery

Sydney’s, and Australia’s, first bank robbery took place on 14 September 1828 when the Bank of Australia strongroom was breached by thieves entering through a sewer drain and stealing £14,000 mostly in notes but also some gold and silver coins. Most of this was never recovered.